From the Richmond Dispatch, 12/20/1862, p. 2, c. 3

A New Phase of the Substitute Business.
– A man named Michael Rearus was arrested on Wednesday in Jefferson
Ward as a suspicious character, by the assistant Provost Marshals
Detectives, and lodged in Castle Thunder. He exhibited a very
lately issued certificate as a British subject, and claimed his
release on that score. The officers, however, having their
suspicious aroused, refused to liberate him. Yesterday, Lieut. Parks,
of the Letcher Artillery, having occasion to visit the prison,
recognized Kearns as a deserter from his company. It appeared that
Kearns had on more than one occasion sold himself advantageously as
a substitute and ran off after realizing the proceeds. By the means he had
accumulated several thousand dollars. His getting a British
protection, which it is only presumed he could have done by swearing
to a lie was an after thought to save himself from punishment for
his swindling.